As the 2024 NFL draft approaches, set to take place in Detroit, Michigan, from April 25th to April 27th, teams hope to find the player of their future. As scouting reports wrap up, there is still much speculation on where each player will land. Here is a breakdown of how the first five draft picks could go.
The Chicago Bears hold both the first overall pick and the 9th overall pick in this year's draft. They traded their former quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now are looking to move on from him. Caleb Williams, quarterback out of USC is the ideal pick for them in this situation. He is a big play machine who always keeps his eyes downfield, which will work well with Bear’s wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. NFL comparison: Josh Allen
“I personally thought the Bears should have given Justin Fields one more year, but since they already traded him, they pretty much have to take Caleb Williams. Although he isn’t going to be an NFL-ready quarterback right off the bat, he easily has the most potential with his insane ability to improvise. It would be criminal to pass on him,” NHS Sophomore Luke Stewart said.
The second pick belongs to the Washington Commanders. Like the Bears, the Commanders are also in need of a quarterback. Caleb Williams is the QB1 this year according to most sources, but after that, there seems to be a variety for 2nd, and 3rd. University of North Carolina’s quarterback Drake Maye seems to be the most NFL-ready, but Heisman winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU also has potential. The Commanders are a team that is ready to win now, which is why they should select Drake Maye second overall. NFL comparison: Justin Herbert.
“Maye possesses ideal NFL arm talent, he can hit just about any throw asked of him at the pro level with velocity and ball placement," Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema said.
Jayden Daniels is not going to have to wait much longer before being selected, as the Patriots own the third overall pick. After poor play from quarterback Mac Jones during the 2023 NFL season, they traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now in need of a quarterback, at third overall Jayden Daniels has good value. He may not be as NFL-ready as Drake Maye, but the Patriots don’t have a roster that is ready to win now anyway. NFL comparison: Lamar Jackson.
After the first three picks result in quarterbacks, the Arizona Cardinals own the fourth pick. The Cardinals do not need a quarterback, as they have Kyler Murray, putting them in an interesting position. Although there is speculation that they could trade down to later in the draft, they are in desperate need of a wide receiver. Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State is a once in a generation wide receiver, making him hard to pass on. The Cardinals will ultimately end up selecting Harrison Jr, pairing him up with Kyler Murray. NFL comparison: Ceedee Lamb.
“The Cardinals are in a tough situation, as they need a lot right now, but by the time they are on the clock, Marvin Harrison Jr. should still be on the board. Although it might be smarter for them to trade down with a team like the Saints or Broncos, they will probably end up going with the flashy pick in Marvin Harrison. He is the best receiver prospect we have seen since Calvin Johnson, so it’s hard to pass on him,” NHS Senior James McMahon said.
The fifth pick belongs to the Los Angeles Chargers, who are also not in need of a quarterback. This leaves them in the same situation as the Cardinals, where they have the option to trade down if they would like to. The Chargers are a well-built team, besides their receiving core. Malik Nabers out of LSU is a receiver who has great separation, but can also make defenders miss after catching the ball. A player like him, paired with Justin Herbert would allow the Chargers to contend for a playoff spot. NFL comparison: Ja'marr Chase.
“The Chargers honestly have a pretty solid roster. They have a good offensive line, solid defense, and a great quarterback in Justin Herbert. If they are able to get a player like Malik Nabers in the draft, they will definitely be able to make the playoffs and contest with the Chiefs for the division,” NHS junior Ilir Kaliki said.
After the draft moves beyond the top five picks, the depth of talent remains significant. quarterback J.J. McCarthy from the University of Michigan stands out as a notable prospect, with speculation placing him anywhere from the 4th pick to the 13th. While there are also players like tight end Brock Bowers and edge rusher Dallas Turner, that can immediately improve the team they are drafted by.
As the draft unfolds, the excitement of seeing where these promising players land adds to the anticipation and intrigue of the NFL's future.